How to Fix a Window Screen

Get your window screens in shape for summer with this simple repair

Window screens can get punctured or torn, but as long as the frame is in good shape repairs are easy and can be done in a few minutes. Here’s how to make your screen door or window look good as new.

By the DIY experts of The Family Handyman Magazine:April 2003

Time

Instant!

In most cases the trip to the hardware store will take longer than the repair.

Complexity

Simple

Cost

Under $20

Step-by-Step

Select screen material

The most popular replacement
screen material is fiberglass, the
type we're installing. Its flexibility
makes it the easiest to use—if you
make a mistake, you can take it out
of the frame and try again.
Aluminum screen is sturdier,
but you only get one chance.
The grooves you've made with the
screen rolling tool are there to stay.
A third type of screen material
that's popular is sun-shading fabric.
It blocks more sun, which means
less load on your air-conditioning
system and less fading of your
carpet, draperies and furniture.
It's also stronger than fiberglass and
aluminum screening, so it's great
for pet owners.

All three materials
come in gray
or black to match
your other window
screens. You can
also get shiny
aluminum as well
as sun-shading
fabrics in bronze
and brown tones.
Know the size of
your window when
you go to the home
center. It will sell pre-measured
rolls to fit nearly any opening size.
If your screen frame is taller than
36 in., it should have a center support to keep it from bowing in once
the material is in place. Newer screens
usually come with this support. If your long screens don't have a support, you can make one out of
aluminum frame stock. It's located near the screening supplies in
most stores. The aluminum stock can be cut with a tin snips and trimmed to fit.

Replace the screen

1 of 5

Photo 1: Pry out the spline

Pry out the
old spline
with an awl or a
narrow-tipped
screwdriver.
Throw it away—spline gets hard
and brittle as
it ages and
shouldn't be
reused.

2 of 5

Photo 2: Secure the frame

Place wooden
blocks along
the inside of the
two longest sides
of the frame and
secure them to
the work surface.
The blocks keep
the frame from
bowing inward
when you install
the new screen
material.

3 of 5

Photo 3: Position the new screen

Lay the
new screen
material over the
frame. It should
overlap the
frame by about
3/4 to 1 in. Cut
each corner at a
45-degree angle
just slightly
beyond the
spline groove.
The cuts keep
the screen from
bunching in
the corners.

4 of 5

Photo 4: Push the new screen in

Begin installing
the new spline
at a corner. Use the
screen rolling tool
to push the spline
and screen material
into the groove.
Continue around
the frame. If wrinkles
or bulges appear,
remove the spline
and reroll. Small
wrinkles should
tighten up as you
get back to the
starting corner.

5 of 5

Photo 5: Trim the screen

Trim excess
screen material
using a utility
knife with a new
sharp blade. A
dull blade will pull
the material, not
cut it. Cut with
the blade on top
of the spline and
pointed toward
the outside of
the frame.

Pro Trick For Proper Screen Tension

If the screen tension is too loose, the screen will sag, but if you pull it too tight, especially on larger door and window screens, the tension can actually bow in the aluminum sides. Here’s a simple way to get it just right. After rolling in the screen on the first two adjoining sides, place a brick or similar heavy object in the center of the screen to create the proper amount of slack. Then continue installing the fabric along the third and fourth sides of the screen frame. Remove the brick.

Tools & Materials List

Required Tools for this Project

Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you’ll save time and frustration.

Cordless drill

4-in-1 screwdriver

Utility knife

You'll also need scissors, an awl and a screen roller.

Required Materials for this Project

Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here's a list.